"My Zhuqing is still the most thoughtful."
Tang Lan chuckled.
"This food street also has many specialties from the Star Luo Empire."
"Want to give them a try?"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up!
She had complained before—having been restricted by her clan since childhood, she was curious about the outside world.
She never expected Tang Lan to actually remember!
At that moment, her icy exterior melted, revealing a brilliant smile.
"Of course!"
Hand in hand, they stepped into Gourmet Street.
On the left were Earth's recreated delicacies.
On the right were Star Luo Empire's signature dishes.
As they entered—
A prominent "announcement" on the wall caught their attention.
—This shop was specially established for Xiao Wu and Zhuqing. They have the privileges of skipping the queue and eating for free. Other customers may also dine here.
Blatant favoritism!
The notice even had photos of both girls.
So—
Even though the shop owner didn't recognize Tang Lan, the moment he saw Zhu Zhuqing, he immediately abandoned his work and rushed over.
"Miss Zhu, you're here! Please wait a moment—I'll serve your dishes right away!"
Zhu Zhuqing gripped Tang Lan's hand tightly, her eyes shimmering.
She was so moved she nearly cried!
At that moment, a streak of pink light flashed—
Xiao Wu appeared beside Tang Lan, hugging a bowl of malatang.
"WAAAH—"
"I CAN SKIP THE LINE?!"
"I even refused, but the owner insisted on shutting down the whole shop just to let me order first!"
"B-Brother, you're TOO GOOD TO ME!"
"MUAH—"
"MUAH—"
"MUAH—"
Tang Lan: "…"
Xiao Wu, mouth covered in grease, kissed him repeatedly—leaving his face a greasy mess.
Zhu Zhuqing, holding back laughter, took out her personal handkerchief and gently wiped his face.
Her gaze was focused and unwavering.
Meeting this man…
Was the luckiest thing that had ever happened to her.
The Next Day—
Tang Lan's communication soul tool had been vibrating nonstop for minutes, finally waking him up.
Carefully moving the two girls aside and adjusting the blanket, he scanned the room with spiritual power.
Then, he reached for his communicator.
99+ missed calls.
All from Titan.
Instantly, he remembered—
The Four Single-Attribute Clans!
…
Last night, the two girls were overwhelmed with emotion—their battle prowess skyrocketed.
With double the energy, and even using soul skills, there had been no breaks.
He had completely forgotten about the meeting.
He had only just fallen asleep not long ago.
With a quick cleanup, Tang Lan took off, heading straight for the Power Clan's residence—just a few kilometers from Tang Sect.
Moving at full speed, he arrived swiftly.
At the Power Clan Estate—
Titan sat in the courtyard across from three elderly men.
The atmosphere was tense.
Upon seeing Tang Lan descend, Titan let out a deep breath of relief.
——If the Sect Master had delayed any longer, he wouldn't have been able to hold out!
Titan immediately stood up and saluted.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
The other three clan leaders remained seated like mountains.
They had agreed to meet last night—
Yet look at the time now!
He was this late?
Was this meant as a power play?
If there wasn't a damn good reason…
Before the tension could escalate—
"My apologies," Tang Lan said sincerely. "I had a sudden enlightenment last night and spent the whole night researching until just now. That's why I was late. I'll punish myself with three cups of wine."
Without hesitation, he downed three cups in succession.
Niu Gao, Bai He, and Yang Wudi felt their anger subside slightly.
After all—
Tang Lan's identity spoke for itself.
The two volumes of the Tang Sect Encyclopedia had already changed countless lives.
His "sudden enlightenment"—
Could very well be another groundbreaking discovery.
That was understandable.
"Huh? Then my repeated calls… I didn't disturb you, did I, Sect Master?" Titan asked, looking anxious.
He secretly regretted it.
If the Young Master hadn't responded, it must've meant he was handling something important!
Why had he kept urging him?!
Tang Lan had only casually made up an excuse—
Yet Titan was genuinely flustered?
——He truly had no idea how high his status had become.
"It's nothing," Tang Lan said casually. "Just an advanced version of Nine Yang Divine Skill. I'll continue studying it later."
Good heavens!
Nine Yang Divine Skill?!
Both Niu Gao and Yang Wudiinstinctively stood up.
That was the Nine Yang Divine Skill!
Who on the continent hadn't trained in it, unless their attribute wasn't compatible?
Both men had benefited greatly from it.
"Perhaps Tang Sect Master should continue his research first?" Niu Gao suggested. "We old bones can wait a few days."
"Agreed! Perfecting cultivation techniques is far more important," Yang Wudi nodded repeatedly.
This was foundational to the sect's future!
But Tang Lan waved them off and got straight to the point.
"Since I'm already here, a little time won't make a difference."
"I heard that the Defense, Strength, and Speed Clans are willing to join the Tang Sect?"
The three clan leaders were all straightforward men.
They immediately cupped their fists and declared in unison—
"We pledge ourselves to the Tang Sect—never to regret it in this lifetime!"
Tang Lan waved his hand again, cutting them off—
And for a split second, their hearts tensed up.
Was there a problem?
"Titan, tell them about my identity."
Titan, realizing he couldn't keep it hidden, gave them a brief explanation.
White Crane and Niu Gao remained calm.
But Yang Wudi—
After a brief moment of shock—
SLAM!
He slammed the table in fury!
"You damned old gorilla! You set me up?!"
"This year's clan gathering was supposed to be at my Strength Clan!"
"I traveled all the way from the Star Luo Empire—just to get tricked?!"
He turned to leave on the spot.
Titan hurried to block him, but—
"SHING!"
Yang Wudi drew his Po Soul Spear!
"MOVE, OLD GORILLA!"
"The only reason my Strength Clan ever accepted the Tang Sect's techniques was because our alchemists found Nine Yang Divine Skill to be highly compatible!"
"Otherwise, I would've beaten that brat to death today!"
"What the Haotian Sect did back then was all because of his father, Tang Hao!"
"This grudge will NEVER be forgiven!"
"If you don't get out of my way, don't blame me for turning hostile!"
His rage was explosive.
Titan looked helplessly at Tang Lan.
This old mountain goat was notoriously stubborn—he would actually fight if pushed.
But Tang Lan's method of dealing with him was simple.
A flash of light—
And suddenly, a delicate pink flower appeared in his hands, exuding a fragrant aroma.
Yang Wudi, mid-rage, instantly froze.
His fierce aura dissipated completely.
His eyes locked onto the flower, filled with awe and obsession.
"Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb?!"
"It actually exists?!"
"My god…"
"It's too beautiful!"
Tang Lan moved the flower slightly—
And Yang Wudi's gaze followed like a hungry wolf.
His face practically screamed "I WANT IT."
"Clan Leader Yang, care for a wager?" Tang Lan tempted. "No matter who wins or loses, this Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb is yours."
Yang Wudi's eyes widened!
Without thinking, he shouted—
"DEAL!"
Then—
He realized something.
"Wait—you do know how priceless this is, right?!"
"A universal antidote," Tang Lan replied nonchalantly. "But if Nine Yang Divine Skill is trained to a high level, it grants complete poison immunity too."
Yang Wudi's eyes blazed!
"Nine Yang Divine Skill can truly resist all poisons?!"
"Why don't we test it?" Tang Lan raised an eyebrow. "Poison me. If you manage to affect me, you win."
Yang Wudi stared at him for a few seconds.
After confirming Tang Lan was serious—
"FINE!"
"I'll attack three times!"
"If Tang Sect Master remains unharmed, my Strength Clan will join Tang Sect and serve under your command!"
Tang Lan smirked.
The toughest obstacle—was about to be cleared.
He tossed the Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb casually.
Yang Wudi panicked and lunged to catch it, cradling it as if it were his own child.
He looked at Tang Lan in confusion.
"I told you already."
"Win or lose, it's yours."
This thing—
Was useless to Tang Lan, who was already immune to all poisons.
Had he not needed it to recruit the Strength Clan—
He would've given it all to Dugu Bo ages ago.
(End of Chapter)
Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X